Garmin activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1416069546
209 km, 9h39, elev 3186 hm. Trip rating: 95%!!!
It took me some time to decide on where to go this week, but Zlate Navrsi made it. This is the highest mountain of the Krkonose region and nr 2 withi Czechia. I cycled to Vrchlabi a first time in April but that was a very rainy day so no mountains. Then I cycled to Vrchlabi and Spindleruv Mlyn in June but I was a bti disappointed that it was only 800. So today would be the final setting of scores
I left around 5.45, with well prepared bike kit. I especially love the light on top of my helmet which follows my eyes all the time.
I did abuot 35 km in the dark. At this spot it was time to switch off the big light.
This was near Lysa nad Labem.
That is how great this light works!
Beautiful sunrise. Fall and Winter provide very charming views, as long as it is dry
I was slowly heading towards Mlada Boleslav, this was near Benatky nad Jizerou, a nearby town
Entering the district of Mlada Boleelav
Finally full daylight
As usual it was very calm on these tertiary roads
And I noticed that Fall had kicked in big time: orange-yellowish leaves that were falling down.
October 22nd meant already one month into Fall. Next week the change to winter hour, urgh...
First time since March that I have seen negative temperatures. Summer is now completely gone :-(
A bike path right before entering Mlada Boleslav
62 km accomplished
Mlada Boleslav is Narmin's favorite Czech city, because of Skoda (sarcastic)
Only once before have I come here. This was on the 6th of December 2015, when I cycled to Jested in Liberec. Almost a full year ago, but I still remember this view.
My winter equipped road bike: disc brakes, 28mm tires, mud guard, reduced tire pressure, 2 front lights and 2 at the back and as reflective as possible
I took a quick break in Mlada Boleslav and then I continued. This was 15 km north of the city.
A little past nine in the morning. Everything well on schedule
It was cold from the morning on, but the views were great.
I always say it: if you dress up well the cold is not a problem, as long as it is dry. The reward for enduring that cold are these magnificent views.
Near Bakov nad Jizerou, roughly in between Mlada Boleslav and Turnov.
I was happy to see a selection of roads I had never visited before.
Mostly clouded and cold but sometimes I could catch a glimpse of the sun
Pedaling further north on the map
Liberec region, that meant a big marker on today's itinerary. The Krkonose mountain range is also in Liberec.
Those thick packs or clouds above the mountains did not look very promising. It somehow reminded me of Taiwanese Wuling and Daxueshan rides.
I was sent into a very tiny road that went uphill very steep. In No time I rose to 500 meters, where I had this view.
When I was cycling here I was sure it was Cesky Raj. However, looking at the map I have to conclude it was just on the outside border of Cesky Raj. Still very nice area
The climb didn't stop at 500m
Another bike ride full of discoveries.
Probably the view would be better on a summer day.
That very tiny road ended here at this bigger road, where I went right and continues climbing. It went as high as 650 meters.
It was for sure a climb I could feel in my legs
After 650m it descended a little. Here I had to make a sharp turn to right, which went up a
Good to see that the sun was hiding on the other side of the hill
Thumbs up in Cesky Raj
Eventually it went downhill, all the way to 300 meters again. A long descent with many turns.
The sun was finally showing a little
Soon the clouds would take over again
These are phenomenal views. This area is worthy of a bike ride dedicated to only here.
Contrast of yellow falling leaves with green-blue sunny summer setting
Those line of trees are the road from which I just descended.
Made the turn here and voila!
Next on the map was Turnov itself, which is apparenlty 100km away from home. It was crowded with a market, cobbles and many activities. I did not stop nor take pictures there.
New hills were already waiting for me
I understood during the ride that this would be a legendary and epic ride.
Striking beauty
Good thing I reduced tire pressure a little, that helpes with these wet roads covered in leaves
The change of seasons is very mysterious. Why things do not stay the way they are in Summer...
Going for nr 14 on the map. Of course I remember that one from Vrchlabi.
Route 14 led me to a number of routes called 28610 etc. I understood from my map studies that this was heading for Krkonose. I had entered the mountain stage of the ride.
A feeling of excitement started brewing inside of me. I was going to climb to the highest peak ever on European soil!
The first climb was already heavy as I made my way to 700 meters.
View from 700 meters
I took of my gloves because I was already feeling hot
This sign marked my official entry into the Krkonose National Park.
Standing here made me realize the Spindleruv Mlyn ride actually did not count as visiting the Krkonose.
Further uphill, slowly reaching 800m.
My math was very simple: mountain at 1400, Bart at 800, means 600 left. You will soon find out why that was wrong...
Krkonose National Park. I was at 850 meters here and almost out of drinks. I thought I would find a gas station along Route 14 but I didnt...
Hard to describe this view with both sun and thunderclouds present
Luckily there was a restaurant here where I could buy drinks. They only had ice tea in plastic bottles but I took it! I filled up my two bidons and drank one myself. I took a few minutes to study this Krkonose map and I continued.
I was sent into a very tiny road, one that was even forbidden for cars and motorcycles. It went steep uphill and there were people walking. I stopped here because of the view and because it meant 1000 meters above sea level.
1400 - 1000 is 400, that was what I was thinking about, only 400 meters to go
Link the two parts on each side of the road and you can see how relentlessly steep this mountain is
In the right bottom you can see elevation level: 1000m
Then something bizarre happened: at 1050 meters there was a giant descent. Over just a few km I dropped all the way back to 650 meters. It meant I had to start again with an 800m climb. I was shocked and I didn't understand it. If you look at my Garmin map, you will be able to understand what happened: I visited one peak on the west, descended to 286 and then went for Zlate Navrsi.
The soil was wet, gradient was steep, many turns. It was a very technical descent. Glad to be on discs here. From here I could see that the top of the mountain was completely embedded by thick mist.
Mysterious Krkonosi, majestic divine Zlate Navrsi, I am about to unravel your myth!
Crazy descent! One I did not expect at all
During the last part of the descent I saw that 286 would be the next road. That is where I understand what was going on. I started mentally preparing myself to repeat the whole climb again.
This kinda reminded me of a similar situation on Taiwan's Hehuan mountain: after reaching the top at 3275 meters it descends for 800 meters and then all the sudden there is a 4 km uphill again where we rise another 300m. After that it goes all the way to sea level. Today I will have to climb to Zlate Navrsi on 1400 and after that it will go all the way back to 200 meters.
Straight ahead is a T section. Left going uphill right going downhill. Guess which one I am going for....
Admittedly, the 268 was a wider and better road than the previous one. This is at 780 meters.
I took a few breaks during this climb, for pictures but also for resting. About one every hundred meters in elevation gain.
A little hotel. By the way it was again super calm out here
The road quality was very good, even better than Taiwanese mountain roads. The gradient was still tough around 10%. At 1000 meters there was one last restaurant where I bought a drink and then it was 400 meters to the summit.
I climbed from 1000 to 1221m without a break. It became a lot colder, there was fog, the roads were crappier, oxygen became more sparse. The feeling of excitement started to rage inside me.
Today was nothing short of a KOM ride: first Cesky Raj, then the 1000m summit and now this attack on Zlate Navrsi. Signs of fatigue were inevitable, but I took this one down.
These trees and this fog made me think about Taichung's Daxueshan, the white snow mountain in central Taiwan. Conditions were very similar.
At 1300 meters. Too bad the view was so limited.
One hundred meters left and I am there. Piece of cake!
One last stinger and then the platform on the right. I could see snow and ice on certain parts.
One thing is sure: I will have to do this one again in the summer
It was getting mighty cold up here, minus 3.3 and gusts of wind
BOOM! I was here! Zlata Navrsi 1383 meters. Look at this Christmas setting! I made a video clip here as well
A German family came to speak with me. They praised me for doing this and I explained them what kind of preparations I took (clothes, bike, lights). The German family told me that this was actually the starting point of the Elbe, which was very interesting.
Zlate Navrsi, the golden mountain of Krkonose
Some signs with info about the Krkonose national park.
I wore all the clouds I had, two layers of gloves, balaclava on my face etc. Then I went downhill.
I stopped a few times during my descent for pictures and to let my fingers rest. It was a lot of braking.
One of Czechia's mysteries
Wrapped up like a muslima in a burka
After 400 meters of descending I found myself here.
Vacation town which is probably packed int he summer
Torpedoing down on 286. I already activated my bike lights for better visibility.
This 28mm/78PSI set up was really cool! I think this will be the new standard
I descended all the way to 600 meters and I decided to go to Zelezny Brod for a train. First I was faced with a new uphill all the way back to 770 meters. That was very tiring considering this whole day outside. Then it began raining. First a few drops then heavy rain which just didnt stop.
It was only 26 km to Zelezny Brod and I was determined to do it. But then I somehow past the train station of Jablonec nad Jizerou and I asked some people what the connection to Prague was.
They helped me in German even. The connection from here to Prague was long but not too many waits. Considering the fact it was already dark I decided to go for it. It got me home safe and sound for 290 Czk. Could be worse...
I installed my bike and during my 3 hours in the train I checked pictures, posted stats on facebook, checked my GPS, tried to dry some of the clothes. In the end the time passed well.
The train also stopped in Praha-Vysocany and I got off there, it is only 7 km from there. It was better than +10 min to main station +30min subway and then still 4.5km home.
I was home at exactly 22.00, having spent 16 hours outside my house. This was truly a legendary ride and I will be seeing Krkonose again!
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